Welcome to AZ Stop Falls
AZ Stop Falls, brought to you by the Arizona Fall Prevention Coalition, is designed to provide information, advice, helpful hints and tips to help prevent falls and fall injuries by the elderly in Arizona. By raising awareness of the issue and by providing advice to older adults, we hope to lower the occurrence of elderly falls in Maricopa County and across our state.
National Fall Prevention Day- September 22, 2010
The Arizona Fall Prevention Coalition invites you to join us for:
National Fall Prevention Day at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
1111 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix
September 22, 2010 from 10am-12:30pm in the Sandstone Room North
Activities will include a mini balance exam, Ask a Doctor: Q & A, Medication Review (bring a list of your medications), and booths from the AZ Fall Prevention Coalition with information and giveaways! Fun and easy exercises to help prevent a fall. Free Valet parking and escort from main hospital entrance and refreshments courtesy of Banner Health!
Some startling statistics from the CDC*:
- More than one third of adults 65 and older fall each year.
- Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths.
- Falls are the most common cause of non-fatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma
- In 2005, 15,800 people aged 65 and older died from injuries related to unintentional falls; about 1.8 million people aged 65 and older were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries from falls, and more than 433,000 of these patients were hospitalized.
- The rates of fall-related deaths among older adults rose significantly over the past decade.
*For more fall related statistics visit the Centers for Disease Control website – Falls among Older Adults: an Overview
Preventing falls in older adults
Preventing slips, trips and falls in older adults requires a good fall prevention program; there are three key components of such a program:
- Understanding how medications may increase the risk of a fall;
- Discovering that increased amounts of low impact exercise and physical activity can help improve balance and contribute to fall prevention;
- A combination of simple home modifications can make life safer.
Read our Fall Prevention Basics for a brief overview of these three key factors in preventing falls in older adults, or for more detailed information, resources and links relevant to each of these components, visit our Home Modification, Medication Management, and Physical Activity pages.
Fall prevention resources
You’ll find useful links, downloadable PDF files and other resources throughout this website. These resources will provide you with valuable information on how to prevent falls at home and in the community. Go to Our Resources page where you’ll find a zip code search facility that will allow you to find agencies and businesses that provide fall prevention products and services closest to your home.
More questions? Contact us
If you have any questions please contact the Arizona Fall Prevention Coalition through the Area Agency's 24-hour Senior HELP LINE at 602-264-HELP (4357) or by email here.